When I was a teenager, I used to scribble on the back of my examination question papers while waiting for the time to pass. Some of these were diaristic poems, meant to keep my mind from the hardships of my adolescent years. Others were ideas for novels I might one day write. The rest were mere frivolous drawings, entertaining my mind in lieu of the boredom.

As life progressed, I worked hard to maintain the debts that tried to catch up to my salary. I’ve loved and I’ve hated. I’ve fought to protect the ones I love, and to keep down the darkness that attempts to weaken our spirits through depression and despair. But, through all this the poems, ideas and frivolities are constant, always shaping my mind and motivating me to find that light at the end of my tunnel.

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “A mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.” Shadowolf grew into one of these ideas, encompassing my mind so fully that I could not ignore the tales I felt that I had to write. But writing words on paper can only get you so far. It is a mere jumble of sentences that ‘normal’ people attempt to understand. So how do you get the world to read your tale? After writing for so long, stretching the idea to enormous dimensions, how do you prove to the world that your tale is one that cannot go untold?

Any writer would say get published. To me, this answer is too simple. My answer to any new writer that doesn’t know where to start is this: be published by Raider Publishing International.

Before I knew about Raider, I searched around for Publishers. Here in South Africa, the market for Fantasy is not yet realised for its value, so many turned me down on the basis of the genre market. Internationally there were many more opportunities, but finding the right publisher was also a difficult task. I would have had to sell my car, maybe half my brain and a leg just to afford some of the contracts. Others were reasonable, but the terms of the contract were not what I had had in mind. Then there were those that were so full of legislation that I felt like I was standing before a judge and jury.

Just when I was about to give up and switch off that light at the end of the tunnel, I came upon Raider. Not only did their terms intrigue and excite me, but Adam Salviani’s positive response right from the start until the acceptance of the draft stunned my mind into numbness for a few days. Suddenly all that scribbling began to make sense; suddenly the world I had created became alive. Raider handled my novel with such professionalism that I felt like an author from the start, even before I signed the contract.

Since then it has been nothing but a pleasure and a high privilege to work with Raider. When other people speak of publishing houses I ask “Who?”, because Raider is the only publishing company that really stands out with regards to loyalty and commitment. They never fail to market your work to international stores and online sites. When it comes to keeping in contact, Adam never failed to let me know what was happening and advise me on the best approaches to any given situation. They always make me feel like all I need to do is write the book, and they will take me the rest of the way.

I will always remain loyal to Raider, and their motto “Changing the world one book at a time” is my heart’s creed. I am assisting two upcoming writers in realising their dreams too, and they are determined to be published by Raider after seeing how efficient and gracious they are. What are you going to do to help change the world? Are you just going to sit in your house and talk about it? Or are you going to sign up with Raider and be noticed?

Shaun Michael Jooste Author of Shadowolf: The Windfarer

When I first dealt with Raider Publishing International, I naturally had my doubts. Dealing directly with a Publisher was the first, the service presented the second, and the percentage royalties on offer was the third.

These doubts were soon put to rest when I received the first e-mail from Adam. I instinctively new, and felt, that here is a Publisher who cares for me, the writer and my work. Further more, Adam had no hesitation in supplying me with another South African writer’s e-mail so I could verify what Raider advertised.

Being a collector of rejection notes through the years, I suddenly found myself among people that saw and appreciated my efforts in writing stories. People who understood the blood, sweat, tears and hope every writer encounters.

The more I dealt with Adam and the Raider team, the more the ‘people’ of Raider became companions on the road of getting published. Adam took my hand and guided me. He patiently answered my ‘first timer jitters’ questions. Some were so stupid that I feel ashamed today for asking them, yet, for Adam it was serious questions that needed serious answers.

Then, finally the day came when I had my book in my hands. After years of rejections, I had my first published book in my hand! All this was made possible because Adam and his team at Raider Publishing cared more for me, the writer, than for themselves. They wanted my book on the shelves just as much as I did…and they put it there.

Now, with my second book to be released soon, the companions of Raider became friends, among friends I feel at ease, and I can now concentrate on what I love to do most, writing stories!

Adam and his team will take care of the rest!

– Daniel Joubert , Author of Mandleve’s Gold

Adam Salviani was just an author who wanted to sell his books. However, he became disenchanted with his publisher during the course of promoting one of his books. He was travelling all over the world in order to promote the book, in seven countries and two continents, and did not receive the expected support from his publishing firm. It is quite normal for an author to expect their publishing company to set up the various events, arrange interviews, and pay for at least some of the advertisements and promotions. This is not exactly the type of treatment Mr. Salviani received.

Instead, Salviani was forced to pay for all of his own promotional events, advertising, etc. The author had to arrange his own interviews with media outlets, a job that is generally thought to be done by the publishing company. Basically, the publishing company did next to nothing. For their lack of effort, Salviani’s publishing firm claimed 92% of the royalties. That left Salviani with only 8% of the royalties and a massive amount of overhead for his promotional events and travel. Salviani quickly realized what a raw deal this was and soon figured out that he wasn’t the only writer getting stiffed by his publisher. Instead of simply complaining, though, Salviani set out to change the publishing industry. He and a group of fellow writers founded Raider Publishing International in 2005 as a publishing firm that would allow writers to keep over 50% of their royalties—a first in the publishing industry.

Additional Resources
Raider Publishing International :: Article on 800review.com
Raider Publishing International :: Listed on Betaflow.com
Raider Publishing International :: Information on Incprofile.com
Raider Publishing International :: Article on Review-inc.com
Raider Publishing International :: Facts on 4worklife.com